Balance point alignment for golf shafts and golf clubs

Abstract

A shaft for a golf club includes a first end, a second end, and a demarcation. The first end is adapted to attach to a club head. The second end is adapted to receive a grip distal to the first end. The demarcation is positioned at or adjacent to the balance point of the golf club between the first end and the second end.

1 - 11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . A golf club, comprising:
 a club head;   a grip; and   a shaft having a first end connected to the club head and an opposite second end engaged with the grip, the shaft comprising a demarcation at or adjacent to a balance point of the golf club, wherein the balance point is located between the club head and the grip.   
     
     
         13 . The golf club of  claim 12 , wherein the demarcation comprises an indentation formed in the shaft between at least two points along the shaft with larger diameters. 
     
     
         14 . The golf club of  claim 13 , wherein the indentation comprises an annular groove. 
     
     
         15 . The golf club of  claim 14 , wherein the annular groove comprises an hourglass shape. 
     
     
         16 . The golf club of  claim 12 , wherein the demarcation forms a taper between adjoining portions of the shaft with different diameters. 
     
     
         17 . The golf club of  claim 12 , wherein the demarcation comprises a bend or curve in the shaft. 
     
     
         18 . The golf club of  claim 12 , further comprising an adhesive strip, wherein adhesive strip comprises the demarcation and is wrapped around a portion of the shaft. 
     
     
         19 . The golf club of  claim 18 , wherein the adhesive strip includes a central portion and shoulders positioned on opposite sides of the central portion that project radially outward from the shaft such that an indentation is formed between the shoulders. 
     
     
         20 . The golf club of  claim 12 , further comprising a first clamshell attached to the shaft, wherein the first clamshell comprises at least a portion of the demarcation. 
     
     
         21 . The golf club of  claim 20 , further comprising a second clamshell coupled with the first clamshell such that the shaft is captured between the first clamshell and the second clamshell. 
     
     
         22 . The golf club of  claim 12 , further comprising a sleeve slid onto the shaft, wherein the sleeve comprises the demarcation. 
     
     
         23 . The golf club of  claim 12 , wherein the shaft has at least one horizontal and level edge when balanced at the balance point. 
     
     
         24 . A method of forming the golf club of  claim 12 , the method comprising:
 identifying the balance point of the golf club, wherein the balance point is located on the shaft; and   providing the shaft with the demarcation at or adjacent to the balance point of the golf club.   
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 24 , further comprising determining whether the shaft has a uniform configuration, a tapered configuration, or a stepped configuration;
 wherein the demarcation is provided to the shaft at or adjacent to the balance point of the golf club based on the determining.   
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein providing the shaft with the demarcation comprises:
 cutting the shaft into a first shaft segment and a second shaft segment;   positioning an insert between the first shaft segment and the second shaft segment, wherein the insert comprises the demarcation; and   joining the first shaft segment and the second shaft segment to opposite ends of the insert.   
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein providing the shaft with the demarcation comprises applying an adhesive strip to the shaft at or adjacent to the balance point of the golf club; and
 wherein the adhesive strip comprises the demarcation.   
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the adhesive strip comprises a pair of shoulders having an indentation defined therebetween. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein providing the shaft with the demarcation comprises positioning at least one clamshell on the shaft at or adjacent to the balance point of the golf club; and
 wherein at least one clamshell comprises the demarcation.   
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the at least one clamshell comprises a pair of clamshells. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein providing the shaft with the demarcation comprises positioning a sleeve at or adjacent to the balance point of the golf club; and
 wherein the sleeve comprises the demarcation.   
     
     
         32 . The golf club of  claim 12 , wherein the shaft comprises:
 a first shaft segment comprising the first end;   a second shaft segment comprising the second end; and   an insert coupling the first shaft segment and the second shaft segment, wherein the insert comprises the demarcation.   
     
     
         33 . The golf club of  claim 32 , wherein one of the first shaft segment or the second shaft segment comprises a cavity; and
 wherein the insert comprises a protrusion received in the cavity.   
     
     
         34 . The golf club of  claim 12 , further comprising an insert coupled with the shaft, the insert comprising the demarcation. 
     
     
         35 . The golf club of  claim 34 , wherein the shaft comprises a cavity; and
 wherein the insert comprises a protrusion received in the cavity.   
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein one of the first shaft segment or the second shaft segment comprises a cavity;
 wherein the insert comprises a protrusion; and   wherein joining the first shaft segment and the second shaft segment to opposite ends of the insert comprises inserting the protrusion into the cavity.   
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein providing the shaft with the demarcation comprises:
 cutting the club into a first club segment and a second club segment;   positioning an insert between the first club segment and the second club segment, wherein the insert comprises the demarcation; and   joining the first club segment and the second club segment to opposite ends of the insert.